Weekending

This weekend was one for the books! We had such a fun and relaxing weekend at home which is mainly contributed to the fact that we got all of our cleaning and yard work done by Friday afternoon so we didn't have any of that work looming over our heads.

Friday, I kicked it off by running over to my alma mater, UCF, for their homecoming Spirit Splash. This is a huge homecoming tradition where all the students gather around the reflection pond and then get the chance to run into it (you're not allowed in it). It's such a fun tradition and I remember reading a few years ago, that it was voted one of the best college traditions.

I jumped in (with my work clothes) as everyone was getting out

That evening, we had some friends over for our first grill out (hence why all the cleaning was done early)! We had a great time and Stephen made the most delicious steak! I made baked Brie for an appetizer, roasted Brussel sprouts as a side, Stephen smoked some potatoes for another side and I made pumpkin cake for dessert. It was great time spent with some new friends and they even brought us over the most beautiful fall bouquet ever!

Saturday was glorious! We slept in, made a delicious breakfast and headed over to a home and garden show near us. The show ended up not being as nice as I thought it'd be but we got some great information about a new roof, new windows and possibly, a landscaper. We have a meeting to get a quote from the landscaper tonight, so we'll see how that goes. After pulling out all the bushes from one side and the back of the house, I think doing the front is going to be too big of an undertaking for us. 

After the show, we ran a few errands - we bought these beautiful Christmas glasses from Homegoods and I finally picked out some curtains for my office. After those errands, we came home and watched some Office episodes and then spent a ton of time outside (the weather was beautiful) throwing the football and going for a walk. I did manage to finally watch UT play Bama and unfortunately, all our teams did horrible this weekend. We finished off the night watching Star Wars. I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies (and still don't care too much for them) but Stephen insisted that I see them all before the new movie comes out, so we started the 1st movie this weekend. 

My mom sent us an adorable fall table runner! Can't wait to get our farmhouse table built - this will look so much better on it!

Sunday, we went to lunch with our friends after church and then I proceeded to iron for 3 hours. It was awful. I'm so bad about letting the ironing pile build up and then I always regret it. I also switched out of fall/summer clothes. I feel like I have a whole new closet after all the ironing (I basically had no more work clothes) and adding my winter clothes. Stephen graciously put up my new curtains as well and I love them!

I can't believe the weekend is over! This was definitely one of the best weekends we've had in a while and I'm so glad we got to enjoy it! Hope everyone else had a great weekend :)

Linking up with Biana

Thoughts for Thursday | Outfit Roundup

Lately, I've really been into changing things up and mix matching outfits. I'm going to blame this on pinterest and other bloggers, especially with the fall weather. I've been wanting to wear fall clothes but it's really hard to when the temperatures are still in the 80's, thus I've been trying to get a fall look without getting too hot. I've been loving my new full length mirror from Target - I can finally see my complete outfit and I am able to capture those outfits for future reference. (Sorry for the amount of pictures - I've been building up these outfits. Hopefully the next post like this won't be so long)

Blazer (Similar) / Dress (Similar) / Shoes (Similar) / Necklace

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes / Watch (Similar)

Shirt (old) / Jeans (Similar) / Shoes / Watch (Similar)

Shirt (Similar) / Skirt / Shoes / Necklace (old) / Watch

I tried out the J Crew sleeve roll and really like it!

Jacket (Similar)/ Dress (Similar) / Shoes / Necklace

Shirt / Skirt (old) / Shoes (Similar, Similar) / Watch / Necklace

The next 4 photos are from my trip to Atlanta last week so I was finally able to actually dress for fall!

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes / Scarf (Similar) / Watch / Belt (Similar)

Shirt (Similar) / Vest / Jeans / Shoes / Watch

Shirt (Similar) / Scarf (Similar)/ Pants / Shoes / Watch

Sweater (Similar) / Vest / Jeans / Shoes / Necklace (old) / Watch

Dress / Scarf (Similar) / Shoes / Watch / Clutch

Shirt (Similar) / Shorts / Hat / Shoes

Shirt (Similar) / Pants (Similar) / Scarf (Similar) / Watch 

(I didn't have time to put shoes on for this photo but I wore these)

Linking up with Annie.

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Pumpkin Cake

The other weekend I decided to make a pumpkin cake that ended up being super easy and delicious!! This is a fantastic fall dessert and I'm actually thinking of remaking it for a cookout we're hosting this weekend.

Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8 oz) tub cool whip
- Caramel sundae sauce
- Optional - Heath bits

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, condensed milk and pumpkin puree until smooth

2. Pour batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees according to the cake box directions

4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and then spread cool whip over the top of the cake (may need to mix the cool whip so it is easily spread). Sprinkle candy bits on top and drizzle caramel over the top. (I cut up Milky-way Midnight chocolates but I think next time, I will skip the candy bits).

5. Return the cake to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Linking up with Jessi.

Edited 10/25/15

Weekending

This weekend was exhausting and I definitely need another day to recover! I think everyone would benefit from 3 day weekends ;)

Friday I headed home from my business trip and even though I'm not doing a whole lot while traveling for work, I get completely exhausted. After a quick nap, we headed out to see a movie! Stephen's company rented out a theater for everyone to see The Martian since they used Stephen's rockets in the movie. We had a lot of fun and we both really enjoyed the movie! It's not something I would keep on repeat, but it was a really good movie that definitely kept you thinking.

Saturday we woke up and headed out to the yard to begin work. We worked until the sun went down - we were exhausted and so sore. Thankfully, we were able to continue the work we started last weekend and ripped up all the bushes in the back yard. Now I need to figure out what we want to plant in those areas! We continued to geek out and watched a movie about the Challenger explosion Saturday night. It was very fascinating and we really enjoyed that movie. I loved it because I've heard a lot of details about why it failed in my quality class in college and in some quality training for work. The whole story is super interesting to me.

I even did some baking on Saturday night ;) 

After church on Sunday, we ran some errands (I looked for my sofa table at Homegoods and of course, couldn't find one) and then went straight to work on the house. I cleaned all the windows, Stephen cleaned the gutters and we did some other maintenance work. Needless to say, we worked outside all weekend and we are just pooped. Hopefully next weekend, we'll get to have a little more fun and not work hard all weekend.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! Did y'all do anything exciting?

Linking up with Biana.

Friday!

One
Tonight we are going to see The Martian! Stephen's company rented out a theater for their employees so we'll get to see the movie for $1. I'm super excited for a movie date night - we haven't had one in forever! Stephen said that they're supposed to show the bit from CNN Business Traveler that he's in.

Two

I'm so bummed because my mums are dying! They were growing great until a few weeks ago. I've been watering them and they've been getting sun but not too much direct sunlight. So much for my green thumb... Any tips on how to revive them?

Three

I'm going to count this as a big accomplishment - I finally painted our "H" on the gallery wall in our Family Room. I wasn't 100% sure what color I wanted to paint it and I was just being lazy with getting around to painting it. So glad it's finally done but now the wall looks so different to me since it sat there unfinished for so long.

Four
Y'all catch on pretty quickly - I did a quick mention last week that Stephen was going to go to the White House and had to get some new suits. Well, the trip ended up getting cancelled (we still don't know why). We're both disappointed but I know God is protecting him from something.

Five
Today I'm heading home from a quick business trip in Atlanta. I was so excited to finally pull out my J Crew vest and fall clothes! The weather is beautiful and I was told I hit it at the perfect time because it had been raining a lot lately. I'm slightly sad to be heading back home and leaving the beautiful weather but can't wait to see my hubby again!

Sofa Table Inspiration

I have officially decided that I want to add a sofa table behind our couch in the family room. I really think this will make the area feel more homey and add to the room transition aesthetically.

Ultimately, this is the look I'm going for

Free plans to build this table

Right now, the family room transitions into the kitchen and the back of the couch is the only thing that separates the rooms.

I am obsessed with this wood-style table. I've seen a few at Homegoods but now I'm wondering if it'd be more cost effective to make one using the plans from the picture above. I really want to make sure the table we get has a bottom shelf because I absolutely adore the basket and blanket look and love how it sits on the little shelf.

via

Obsessed with how this table is styled

We'll see when/if this happens anytime soon - I mentioned it to Stephen the other night and he was all for it but we'll see how expensive these tables are ;)

Linking up with Annie.

Give Me Some Guacamole

A while ago, Natasha, posted a guacamole recipe on instagram and it looked super delicious so I took a screenshot of it to keep for when I'd ever decide to be brave and make guacamole. Well, Publix ran a sale on some chips that were a new type of tortilla chip. I was trying to think of what would pair well with the chips and I remembered the guacamole recipe! It was actually super easy to make and paired perfectly with the chips. (I am in no way getting compensated for this post, the chips were really good and look healthy; you know, with quiona in it ;))

The only problem I had, was that Publix didn't have a ton of great avocados so I didn't have time to let mine ripen. I had to throw them in a blender in order to mash them up so that's why it doesn't look smooth like regular guac. Definitely want to try this recipe again but with ripe avocados.

Ingredients:

- 4 rips avocados

- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

- 1 clove garlic

- 3/8 diced red onion

- 1 diced tomato

- 2 tbsp lime juice

- salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix ingredients together then, chill in the fridge until ready to serve

Make sure to leave the pit(s) in the guac to keep from turning brown - it really does work!

Linking up with Jessi.